Heartbreak and depravity from Kent

Producer Ellen Kent will bring Rigoletto and Madama Butterfly to Manchester Opera House this weekend, with international soloists, a highly praised chorus and full orchestra.

Theatregoers can see Verdi’s Rigoletto on Saturday then the Puccini masterpiece Madama Butterfly the following day.

They are the latest productions for the award-winning producer, who won praise for recent national tours of Nabucco, Aida and La Boheme.

Rigoletto is based on a play by Victor Hugo and composed by Verdi. This production is inspired by the tradition of Renaissance painting and reflects the depravity of the Mantuan ducal court.

Madama Butterfly is Puccini’s popular tale on which hit West End musical Miss Saigon is based. It is the story of a Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant, resulting in heartbreak.